CODING-DECODING & SERIES - Complete Study Guide & MCQs
📌 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS & PATTERNS
1. CODING-DECODING CATEGORIES
Category A: Simple Shift
Each letter shifted by same constant (e.g., +1, -1, +3)
Example: ORANGE → NQZMFD (each letter -1)
Category B: Progressive Shift
Each letter shifted by increasing/decreasing values
Example: FRUIT → GUZTPC (+1, +3, +5, +7, +9)
Category C: Multiple Operations
Different operations on different positions
Example: SHIFT → RFFBO (-1, -2, -3, -4, -5)
Category D: Letter-Number Coding
Each letter assigned a unique number
Example: RANGE (12345), RANDOM (123678)
Category E: Word Substitution
Each word coded as another random word
Find common words to decode
Category F: Sentence Coding
Words in sentences coded randomly
Match common words between sentences
Category G: Reverse Operations
Decode by performing opposite operations
If encoding is +1,+2,+3, decoding is -1,-2,-3
2. NUMBER SERIES PATTERNS
Common Patterns:
Arithmetic Progression (AP): +n, +n, +n...
Alternate Series: Two different patterns alternating
Multiplication/Division: ×n, ÷n patterns
Square/Cube Series: n², n³ patterns
Fibonacci Type: Sum of previous terms
Complex: (prev × n) + m pattern
3. LETTER SERIES PATTERNS
Common Patterns:
Position Based: +1, +2, +3 positions
Skip Letters: Leave n letters between terms
Alternate Vowels/Consonants
Prime Position Letters
4. ANALOGY PATTERNS
Number Analogies:
a : b :: c : ? (same relation)
Common: Square, Cube, Double, Half, +n, -n
Letter Analogies:
Similar shift patterns
Position-based relationships
🎯 MCQ PRACTICE QUESTIONS
TOPIC 1: Letter Coding (Category A - Simple Shift)
Q1. If ORANGE is coded as NQZMFD, how is VIOLET coded? a) UHNKDS
b) WJPMFU
c) UHNLDS
d) VIOKET
Solution: Pattern: Each letter is shifted by -1 (previous letter) O→N, R→Q, A→Z, N→M, G→F, E→D
For VIOLET:
V → U (V-1)
I → H (I-1)
O → N (O-1)
L → K (L-1)
E → D (E-1)
T → S (T-1)
Answer: (a) UHNKDS ✓
Q2. If in a code language, KING is coded as LJOH, then HINT will be coded as: a) GJMS
b) IKOU
c) GJOU
d) HIMS
Solution: Pattern: Each letter +1 K→L, I→J, N→O, G→H
For HINT:
H→I, I→J, N→O, T→U
Answer: (b) IKOU ✓
TOPIC 2: Letter Coding (Category B - Progressive Shift)
Q3. If FRUIT is coded as GUZTPC, how is FLOWER coded? a) GOTDNC
b) GMPDNB
c) GOTEMC
d) GMTENC
Solution: Pattern: +1, +3, +5, +7, +9, +11 (odd number progression)
FRUIT → GUZTPC:
F+1=G, R+3=U, U+5=Z, I+7=P, T+9=C ✓
For FLOWER:
F+1=G
L+3=O
O+5=T
W+7=D
E+9=N
R+11=C
Answer: (a) GOTDNC ✓
Q4. If TEST is coded as UHXA, what is the code for EXAM? a) GYCQ
b) FZAR
c) GYAS
d) FYAP
Solution: Pattern: +1, +3, +5, +7
TEST → UHXA:
T+1=U, E+3=H, S+5=X, T+7=A ✓
For EXAM:
E+1=F
X+3=A (X→Y→Z→A)
A+5=F
M+7=T
Answer: None match exactly. Let me recalculate: Actually: E+1=F, X+3=A, A+5=F, M+7=T = FAFT
Common variation check: Looking at progressive +2,+4,+6...
Q5. Decode LKUMB if the encoding pattern was SHIFT → RFFBO a) MMXQG
b) LKUMB
c) KNVLA
d) MJTML
Solution: Encoding pattern: -1, -2, -3, -4, -5 Decoding needs: +1, +2, +3, +4, +5
LKUMB:
L+1=M
K+2=M
U+3=X
M+4=Q
B+5=G
Answer: (a) MMXQG ✓
TOPIC 3: Number Coding (Category D)
Q6. ROSE is coded as 6821 and CHAIR is coded as 73456. What is the code for SEARCH? a) 214673
b) 216473
c) 214763
d) 213467
Solution: From ROSE=6821: R=6, O=8, S=2, E=1 From CHAIR=73456: C=7, H=3, A=4, I=5, R=6
For SEARCH:
S=2
E=1
A=4
R=6
C=7
H=3
Answer: (b) 214673 ✓
Q7. If ENTRY is coded as 12345 and STEADY is coded as 931785, what is the code for TENANT? a) 312723
b) 321723
c) 312327
d) 321372
Solution: From codes: E=1, N=2, T=3, R=4, Y=5 From STEADY: S=9, T=3, E=1, A=7, D=8, Y=5
For TENANT:
T=3
E=1
N=2
A=7
N=2
T=3
Answer: (a) 312723 ✓
Q8. If 3972465 is coded as DNPMHLT, what is the code for 5924? a) TNMH
b) TNMD
c) THMH
d) DNMH
Solution: From 3972465=DNPMHLT: 3=D, 9=N, 7=P, 2=M, 4=H, 6=L, 5=T
For 5924:
5=T
9=N
2=M
4=H
Answer: (a) TNMH ✓
TOPIC 4: Word/Sentence Coding (Category E & F)
Q9. In a code language:
"Life is good" is coded as "KUI ENB KAJ"
"Live your life" is coded as "ENB KIR JAN"
What is the code for "life"? a) KUI
b) ENB
c) KAJ
d) JAN
Solution: Common word in both sentences: "life" Common code in both: "ENB"
Answer: (b) ENB ✓
Q10. Given:
"Secret plans included" → "Tenils Zax Barom"
"Secret attack krux" → "Tenils krux Berox"
What is the code for "Secret"? a) Tenils
b) Zax
c) Krux
d) Barom
Solution: Common word: "Secret" Common code: "Tenils"
Answer: (a) Tenils ✓
TOPIC 5: Number Series - Complete the Series
Q11. Find the missing term: 11, 10, __, 100, 1001, 1000, 10001 a) 99
b) 100
c) 101
d) 110
Solution: Pattern: Each term differs from next by 1 alternately 11→10 (−1), 10→101 (+91), 101→100 (−1),
100→1001 (+901)
Actually: 11→10 (−1), __→100, means pattern is:
11, 10, 101, 100, 1001, 1000, 10001
Answer: (c) 101 ✓
Q12. Find the next term: 563, 647, 479, 815, ? a) 143
b) 947
c) 1151
d) 479
Solution: Pattern analysis:
563 to 647: +84
647 to 479: −168 (84×2)
479 to 815: +336 (168×2)
815 to ?: −672 (336×2)
815 − 672 = 143
Answer: (a) 143 ✓
Q13. Complete: H, I, K, N, ? a) P
b) Q
c) R
d) S
Solution: Pattern: Gaps increase by 1 each time
H to I: +1
I to K: +2
K to N: +3
N to ?: +4
N+4=R
Answer: (c) R ✓
Q14. Find missing terms: 17, 14, 14, 11, 11, 8, 8, ?, ? a) 5, 5
b) 5, 2
c) 8, 5
d) 6, 6
Solution: Pattern: Each unique number appears twice, decreasing by 3 17, 14, 14, 11, 11, 8, 8
17→14 (−3)
14→11 (−3)
11→8 (−3)
8→5 (−3)
Answer: (a) 5, 5 ✓
Q15. Find the next term: 165, 195, 255, 285, 345, ? a) 365
b) 375
c) 385
d) 405
Solution: Pattern: +30, +60, +30, +60, +30...
165+30=195
195+60=255
255+30=285
285+60=345
345+30=375
Answer: (b) 375 ✓
TOPIC 6: Letter Series
Q16. Complete: AC, FH, KM, PR, ? a) TW
b) UW
c) UV
d) VX
Solution: Pattern: Skip 2, then use next 2 letters
A(skip B)C, (skip D,E)F(skip G)H, (skip I,J)K(skip L)M
(skip N,O)P(skip Q)R, (skip S,T)U(skip V)W
Answer: (b) UW ✓
TOPIC 7: Number Analogies
Q17. 49 : 81 :: 100 : ? a) 121
b) 144
c) 169
d) 196
Solution: Pattern: 7² : 9² :: 10² : ? Square of (n+2)
7² : (7+2)² = 49 : 81
10² : (10+2)² = 100 : 144
Answer: (b) 144 ✓
Q18. 5 : 124 :: 7 : ? a) 342
b) 343
c) 344
d) 350
Solution: Pattern: n : (n³−1)
5 : (5³−1) = 5 : 124 ✓
7 : (7³−1) = 7 : 342
Answer: (a) 342 ✓
Q19. 8 : 28 :: 27 : ? a) 64
b) 65
c) 66
d) 81
Solution: Pattern: n : (next n³ + 1)
2³=8 : (3³+1) = 8 : 28 ✓
3³=27 : (4³+1) = 27 : 65
Answer: (b) 65 ✓
Q20. 42 : 20 :: 64 : ? a) 30
b) 31
c) 32
d) 33
Solution: Pattern: n : (n/2 − 1)
42 : (42/2−1) = 42 : 20 ✓
64 : (64/2−1) = 64 : 31
Answer: (b) 31 ✓
Q21. 23 : 49 :: 27 : ? a) 57
b) 55
c) 54
d) 58
Solution: Pattern: n : (n×2 + 3)
23 : (23×2+3) = 23 : 49 ✓
27 : (27×2+3) = 27 : 57
Answer: (a) 57 ✓
TOPIC 8: Odd Man Out - Number Series
Q22. Find the odd term: 56, 72, 90, 110, 132, 150 a) 72
b) 110
c) 132
d) 150
Solution: Check differences: 16, 18, 20, 22, 28 Pattern should be: 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 Instead of 150, it
should be 132+24=156
Answer: (d) 150 ✓
Q23. Find the odd term: 125, 126, 124, 127, 123, 129 a) 127
b) 129
c) 123
d) 126
Solution: Pattern:
Odd positions: 125, 124, 123 (decreasing by 1)
Even positions: 126, 127, 128 (should increase by 1 each)
129 should be 128
Answer: (b) 129 ✓
Q24. Find the odd term: 40960, 10240, 2560, 460, 160, 40, 10 a) 2560
b) 10240
c) 160
d) 460
Solution: Pattern: Each term ÷ 4
40960÷4=10240 ✓
10240÷4=2560 ✓
2560÷4=640 (but given 460) ✗
640÷4=160
160÷4=40
40÷4=10
Answer: (d) 460 ✓
Q25. Find the odd term: 3, 10, 27, 4, 16, 64, 5, 25, 125 a) 4
b) 16
c) 10
d) 64
Solution: Three series:
3¹, 3², 3³ → 3, 9, 27 (but given 10 instead of 9)
4¹, 4², 4³ → 4, 16, 64 ✓
5¹, 5², 5³ → 5, 25, 125 ✓
Answer: (c) 10 ✓
Q26. Find the odd term: 4, 9, 19, 39, 76, 160, 319 a) 39
b) 160
c) 76
d) 319
Solution: Pattern: (n×2)+1
4×2+1=9 ✓
9×2+1=19 ✓
19×2+1=39 ✓
39×2+1=79 (but given 76) ✗
79×2+1=159 (not 160)
159×2+1=319 ✓
Actually checking: Should be 79 not 76, so next should be 159 not 160
Answer: (b) 160 ✓
TOPIC 9: Odd Man Out - Letter Series
Q27. Find the odd term: H, K, N, P, T, W a) H
b) K
c) P
d) W
Solution: Positions: 8, 11, 14, 16, 20, 23 Differences: 3, 3, 2, 4, 3 Should be consistent +3 each time P should
be Q (position 17, not 16)
Answer: (c) P ✓
Q28. Find the odd term: RAT, OUT, BED, LOT, TIN a) RAT
b) OUT
c) BED
d) LOT
Solution: Each word should have exactly ONE vowel
RAT: A (1 vowel) ✓
OUT: O, U (2 vowels) ✗
BED: E (1 vowel) ✓
LOT: O (1 vowel) ✓
TIN: I (1 vowel) ✓
Answer: (b) OUT ✓
TOPIC 10: Complex Series
Q29. Find the next term: 3, 7, 23, 95, ? a) 385
b) 479
c) 383
d) 475
Solution: Pattern: (n×k) + (k−1), where k increases
3×2+1=7
7×3+2=23
23×4+3=95
95×5+4=479
Answer: (b) 479 ✓
Q30. Find missing term: 2, 44, 4, 41, 6, 38, 8, ? a) 32
b) 35
c) 36
d) 38
Solution: Two alternating series:
Series 1: 2, 4, 6, 8 (+2 each)
Series 2: 44, 41, 38, ? (−3 each)
38−3=35
Answer: (b) 35 ✓
🔥 QUICK TIPS FOR THE TEST
1. Coding: Look for shifts (+1, −1), progressive shifts (+1,+2,+3), or number assignments
2. Series: Check differences, ratios, squares, cubes, alternating patterns
3. Odd Man Out: Find the pattern first, then identify which doesn't fit
4. Analogies: Same relationship must apply to both pairs
5. Letter Series: Convert to numbers (A=1, B=2...) if confused
6. Word Coding: Find common words between sentences
7. Number Series: Try differences, then differences of differences
⏰ LAST MINUTE REVISION
Coding Types: Simple shift | Progressive shift | Number coding | Word substitution
Series Patterns: AP | GP | Squares (n²) | Cubes (n³) | Fibonacci | (n×k)+m
Analogy: Same operation on both sides
Odd Man Out: Pattern breaks at odd term
ALL THE BEST! 🎯